Who knew shopping could be so dangerous? Sofia Vergara indulges in a spree at Bulgari... before suffering embarrassing fall

And while Sofia Vergara doesn't have to worry about that happening any time soon, she might do well to watch her step - quite literally.

After paying a visit to the Bulgari store in Beverly Hills on Thursday, the 41-year-old - who was recently named TVs highest paid female star for the second year running - fell down some steps as she stopped for lunch.

There she goes! Sofia Vergara, 41, took a spill as she stopped for lunch in West Hollywood on Thursday

Oops! The Modern Family star tripped down a step while she was wearing a pair of sky-high cork wedges

Paying a visit to West Hollywood
restaurant Absolutely Phobulous for a bite of Vietnamese food, Sofia
took a tumble in her cork platforms and was helped to her feet by a
friend.

Showing the good humour that has made
her a comedy hit, the bombshell laughed off the embarrassing stumble and
continued on her way.

Perhaps humbled by her fall, the star fished about in her designer bag for a note to give a homeless man who appealed for her help on the street.

Earlier in the day, Vergara showed off her model figure in a pair
of tight flared jeans, as she posed this
way and that trying on what appeared to be one of the Bulgari's
iconic Serpenti necklaces.

Embarrassing moment: Sofia was paying a visit to Absolutely Phobulous Vietnamese restaurant in West Hollywood after a day of shopping

Taking a tumble! Sofia fell down a set of steps as she attempted a low key entrance into the restaurant

The necklace seemed to comprise of a snake biting its own tail, made from what looked like gold, diamonds and rubies.

Some of the pieces in the Serpenti range go for over $78,000 - hardly a problem for Sofia.

The Modern Family actress earned over $30million last year alone, making her by far the most successful woman on TV.

Making the most of her millions: Earlier in the day, Vergara was spotted shopping in Bvlgari in Beverly Hills, after being named TVs highest paid woman the day before

Help! Luckily a friend was on hand to help the bombshell to her feet after she took a spill in her platform heels

Smiling,
she wore a simple acid-yellow top as she tried on the eye-wateringly
expensive piece and posed with her shades both on and off to ensure the
necklace really did suit her.

The
actress wore several other pieces of jewellery, including a watch, a
number of gold bangles and several large rings - including the huge
diamond engagement ring given to her by her businessman fiance Nick
Loeb.

Vergara's
impressive earnings are not just from her breakout turn on ABC’s Modern
Family, but from a host of lucrative endorsement deals.

Laugh it off: Showing good humour, the comic actress laughed off the incident and went on her way

Thank you! Sofia kissed her friend on the cheek to say goodbye - and possibly to thank her for helping her to her feet

Giving back: Sofia fished around in her designer bag for a note to give a homeless man in need

The
ranking is largely due to her appeal in the bilingual market, where she
often doubles up in endorsements in both Spanish and English for such
big name brands as Kmart and Diet Pepsi.

The
bilingual ads have enabled her to even beat out the Kardashian sisters
in Forbes Best Paid TV Actresses list leaving the reality stars in the fifth spot.

Sharing
the number two ranking on Forbes list was Law And Order: SVU star
Mariska Hargitay and Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco – each of them
pulling in an impressive $11million.

Making millions: The Modern Family actress earns
over $30m a year, not just from her work on the popular sitcom, but
from a host of lucrative endorsement deals

Meanwhile, Vergara has a busy promotional schedule ahead of her for the remainder of the year.

The fifth season of Modern Family will commence airing on September 25.

She
is also set to appear in Robert Rodriguez's action flick
Machete Kills, alongside Danny Trejo, Mel Gibson and Michelle Rodriguez, later this year.

How do I look? Vergara was draped in jewels and appeared to be trying on one of Bvlgari's iconic Serpenti necklaces, which can fetch over $78,000

I want that one! Colombian-born Vergara can afford the finer things in life for herself and her 21-year-old son Manolo

Top earner: Her wealth is mostly due to lucrative endorsement deals with both Kmart and Diet Pepsi